The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-09-17
A WILD RIDE.

Mr. John Henry J2nkins is An cid soldier
and, like all other old soldiers, he is prout
of the fact, and justly 50. lie is fond Of tell
ing Of his army experiences, and frequently
tells them to his son, John Henry, jr. Now
John Henry, jr. always likes to hear hi:
fathers war s;ories, and often asks Tor some
particular one second lime. The other
cay Mr.. jenkins aud John Henry, jr. were
walking down town together, when the lat
ter said:
e" Father vha; was the 'gill ride you hint
ed at yesterday in speaking of the march
to the Sea. Did your ride in any way re-
semble SherdGn's great one?"
"My wild rider ruminated Mr., jenkins.
ooh, yes, my son, know now what you
mean. 1t was this way: You see it was in
the southern part Of Georgia. 1t was-ah,
very warm weather. The point of fact, ii
was very excessively warm. We We're en-
campcd for the night, and it was moonlight
AS bright as day. We were very hot and
dusty, and some eight or ten of US obtained
permission from the officer to 80 to II river
some three miles distant to--ah-lave our
weary bodies in the lmped and cooling
waters-ah-we desired to seek rcrreshment
for the physical man by-ah--iudulging in a
cool bath.
"Well we rode to the bank of the river,
and selected n suitable glade by the bank of
the-ah-the silver flowing stream. We tied
laments preparatory to our-ah--Our bath.
hung my clothing on a lower limb of tree
just within my reach. My feet were very
sore, and there were sharp stones on the
river bottom, so | was compelled to put on
my shoes. These shoes, with my cavalry
spurs attached and small, black skull cap,
completed my-ah-my wardrobe. AS sat
upon a stone in the shallow stream, All
viewing the landscape, and inspecting the
ablutions of my comrades, suddenly
most diabolical Rebel yell came from
the dense woods across the river, and
score or more of musket shots blazed right
into us.
| arose in some --ah--some haste, and re-
paired Immediately to my noble steed. |
would mount my steed first, and then would
secure my wardrobe if there was time. My
noble steed became very much excited as
came up, and would not suffer me to approach
him. lie was Inaccustomed to behOlding
his master in Just at-ah--attire, and he
refused 30 yield to his masters gentle call.
His eyes protruded, and his nostrils dilated,
and he reared and plunged, and snorted, and
seemed to say: No, sir; no, So. No Oar
winian ape clad in skull cap and a pair of
spurs shall mount me- and then he snorted
again. Meanwhile the Rebel yells and the
firing grew louder. | sliced my steed by
the, ah--the latter extremity, and by firm
grasp to his tail | succeeded in mounting
him from over -posterior end. |
then leaned forward and united him, and
turned toward my clothes. Meanwhile, my
companions had mounted and gone. sue
ceeded in securing my clothes, and then |
turned toward camp and tucked the spurs,
Away we went, like the wind, my noble
steed and |. The wind blew up the clothes,
which | was strenuously endeavoring to
hang onto. Ny trousers caught around my
neck, and screamed back over the horse s
tail held my blue army. shirt in my right
hand and the reius in my left.
81 came into camp at break neck speed,
| don't expect presented as sSldierly
picture as Sheridan did, although surely
more thrilling one. That my son,
was my wild ride. Don't you think your
father was brave soldier, my SON.
Eyes, sir :" said John Henry, jr.